Development of Operational Protocols and Guidelines for Ultra High Pressure Waterjetting and Coating Application Inside Marine Vessel Tanks

摘要

Surface preparation, whether using conventional abrasive blasting (AB), high pressurewaterjetting (HP-WJ) or ultra high pressure waterjetting (UHP-WJ), and subsequent applicationof coatings inside closed spaces in marine vessels such as ballast tanks and bilges, presentunique challenges. There are also some logistical, cost, and safety concerns in performingsuch work. The present paper discusses the findings of a project that was undertaken toidentify the operational protocols and technical issues that may be encountered in surfacepreparation and coating application inside shipboard tanks. The work was performed in alaboratory setting by utilizing a large (2000-gallon capacity), specially designed mock-upballast tank. Guidelines for UHP-WJ and coating application that were developed as a resultof the work are presented in the paper.